From Manta to Panama City: An Expat’s Journey and Insights
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- čas přidán 17. 06. 2024
- From Manta to Panama City: An Expat’s Journey and Insights
In this video, I reconnect with Teri Carroll, a former resident of Manta, Ecuador, who has relocated to Panama City. We conducted this interview via Zoom, marking a first for my channel! Join us as Teri shares her experiences and insights about living in Panama City compared to Manta. From cost of living, safety concerns, and quality of life, to the little details like grocery prices and transportation options, we cover it all. Don't miss this candid conversation about the pros and cons of life in these two vibrant cities.
Watch our first interview from February 2023 here: • Expat Life in Ecuador:...
#ExpatLife
#PanamaCity
#LivingAbroad
Links to know:
Facebook - Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - / 323275021650751
My Channel Video Index - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
My Google Docs document of useful information
docs.google.com/document/d/1A...
Document Links
My Checklist for migration - docs.google.com/document/d/1U...
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a CZcams video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
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The views expressed in this video are in no way intended to be taken as advice on retirement, migrating to Ecuador, investing, buying insurance, or getting your immigration documentation.
I am not responsible for any decision you make after watching my videos.
I don't give advice and I don't recommend anything unless it is based on my own personal, verifiable experience.
I want to be sure that the information I provide is accurate information and I don't want people to make a poor choice based on anything I say.
If one person comes here based on my influence and doesn't like it at all, then has to return to start all over again, I have failed. - Jak na to + styl
With Panama rent being 50% higher, Daily living expenses 2.5X higher, groceries &
domestic help being Double Panama City isn't as budget friendly as Ecuador.
If it's safer, it's well worth it
I imagine the prices she quoted are b/c she's in a big city. I would think other areas would be cheaper.
We're gonna talk more about finances in the next one. After I posted this one, she sent me a note and said that she might have been a little off on some of her estimates
@@joann5157 true there are options, i still wont change quito, love this city
@@DonShader i guess, panama seems alot like miami
Great to sit in on two friends comparing Manta and Panama city. Feels like Ecuador lost a great citizen. Hope Ecuador can win her back someday.
This was awesome Don... Lloved listening to Teri and seeing her smile. Thank you. Looking forward to part two
Really nice!
I visited Panama City last December and loved it.
Great interview Don. Appreciate the info.
video quality is good. Really enjoyed the conversation. thank you for posting
Thank you Sir.
i almost moved to ecuador because of one of Tee's vids, it's how we became aquainted! i'm here in panama and plan to meet up up and hang out .. i'm in one of the smaller towns, and i'm excited to show her another part of panama. don't worry, we'll take good care of her for you all,.. she's a doll!
Awesome interview brother!
I always had the idea that Panama would be a little more expensive than Ecuador due to the things I’ve heard but never really got to hear it from a person who is currently living there.
It was great seeing Teri and hope your throat feels better soon!
Don, I really enjoyed hearing from Terri again, and am glad she’s happy in Panama! When you talk to her again, I would love to understand more about her desire to leave Manta, and Ecuador entirely. I’m following the situation there as closely as someone in Florida can, and know a lot of people have left (for various reasons including the violence/problems). Did she consider other locations in Ecuador? Obviously I don’t want to intrude on her privacy, but just would like to know more.
Panama was the first country I looked at seriously but found I could not get private health insurance as a senior who had had breast cancer. So I moved on to Ecuador. Your contact at Blue Box has been extremely helpful in this regard. I’d love to know how Terri fares with private insurance.
Thanks as always for another informative video!
Panama City and Manta are both very hot humid cities. If the heat bothers you, look elsewhere.
I absolutely hate sweating profusely all day out and about.
Panama city is far worse
@@Liammulli I don't see the appeal of Panama City. Mexico has better options.
This is an informative and entertaining conversation.
I was waiting for this interview - super interesting! I will defiantly tune in for PT 2
Thanks for the video! Very informative.
My pleasure!
The audio sounds just fine to me. I would like to know (more about) what’s going on in Manta, but I’ll look it up. Thanks for the interview. I’m glad you showed up in my feed.
Organic is tough here, even in El Valle at the mercado, most of the produce comes from Cerro Punta and they use herbicides and pesticides 😕
I so enjoyed the visit with Teri. Glad she is enjoying Panama, but I have heard horror stories about the heat and humidity. You will have to ask her about that in your next conversation.
I Believe that you have a virus that has been going around. It starts with a sore throat, then coughing up mucus and it takes about a month to go away. Just an FYI. Hope that you feel better. Can't wait to move to Panama!
Excellent video Don. Terrie is an amazing person. I reall enjoyed watching this video! 🎉
Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Don, good to pop upon this video. I almost moved to Ecuador, but the two women realtors that you interviewed on your channel didn't respond to my email. I have been in Panama for 10 months now and already have my residency. You know, if you watch Jackie Lange CZcams Channel, you will learn so much about Panama even before you come here. I highly recommend this channel to you. You will know all the beaches areas with all different prices. She has a relocation tour package and that's not what I am trying to sell you. That will be your personal choice. Her videos offer great education in regard of Panama.
Okay thanks Jackie. Thanks for plugging yourself on my channel. Have a great day and while you're at it, pick up some of that trash, will ya?
Teri is looking gooood! 🎉
Tks!
very nice interview with teri..good comparisons all around...stay safe
Glad you enjoyed it.
-ds
Thanks for the info guys..nice chat.
I recall seeing her in the former video you mentioned
Great interview, Don. No problems with video or sound at all. I look forward to part 2.
Thanks Mark. I was actually quite pleased with the whole outcome from a technical point of view. I didn't know that Zoom would switch video back and forth depending on whose talking. It's a nightmare doing that from editing software.
The only real complaint I had was I don't think the autofocus on my laptop did a very good job. I think the next time, I'll use my iPhone.
But all-in-all, I'm still quite pleased with the results.
Great move! Like NYC without price tag...cosmopolitan, great skyline
Great Interview Don❤️, I am sure you will be safer living in Panama City instead of where you are now. Blessings; Health and all the Best to you. Regards from Miami Beach, Fl
Driving in Panama City is insane. The taxi drivers are the worst, they never give way and will constantly cut you off. She's right about the trash problem, almost as bad as Beirut. Illegal dumping is a way of life.
1) The weather is vastly different in PCY vs Manta. PCY is MUCH hotter, very humid. It is downright uncomfortable in PCY most of the time. 2) Earthquakes are much more prevalent in Ecuador, and can be quite high on the Richter scale. PA has earthquakes, but they do not seem to be as serious, however I am not an expert in seismology. 3) You can find more USA brands in PCY, but expect to pay USA prices. 4) PCY and surrounding area is roughly 2 million people, Manta is under 300,000 people, so that's a big part of the reason things are different regarding availability of products and services. 5) There are not as many dead and stray dogs in PA as in EC. 6) Driving for gringos in either country is insanity. In PA they mark the roadways with blue hearts where someone has died on the road......and those blue hearts are all over the place. I wonder (I certainly do not know) if the bad driving has to do with the notion that only the more well-oiled people in both EC and PA are the ones who are driving. 6a) I noticed in PA that you can get anywhere by bus, with bus stops all over the country, even in villages with 50 people. I did not notice this in EC, but maybe that's just because I didn't notice it. 7) Manta desperately needs a large green park. It is a concrete jungle. PCY has tons of parks, but is still a large city, a concert jungle, with large city problems. Plus did I say it's hot? It's HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT.
I wouldn't be able to handle the heat and humidity in PCY. Not in Miami or New Orleans either.....
@@dovygoodguy1296 It's def a challenge and something to consider.
Portoviejo has all the parks. An easy $1 bus ride away
Having recently spent time in Panama City, I agree. In the middle of the day, cuddle up to your A/C.
Move further North to Boquete a comfortable life awaits.
From David, it's an inexpensive flight to the "City". Just expect a long train ride to downtown.
Panama is definitely more expensive than Ecuador.
And it's more like the USA as far as consumer goods and restaurants are concerned.
It's easy for me to understand how Panama would be an easy transition to LATAM, for we Gringos.
you can always go back to Manta!!! 🙂
Great interview, have you thought about interviewing the couple that used to live in Cuenca and compare experiences, that be nice
I lost touch with one couple that moved there but there are a few more. I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the suggestion.
-ds
Never!
@@DonShader hmm could be a nice future chat
I spent 75 days in Panama back in 1995 on a temporary duty assignment while I was in the AF. I remember it being unbearably hot and humid from 9am-9pm, which is the main reason why their 'nightlife' lasted ALL night until the sun came up. I had some good times/memories; went on a tour of the canal and to a couple other venues. I also had to drive from my hotel to the base nearly every day, which was levels of insanity I had never seen before or experienced since. Didn't really know anyone and had little motivation to go out and explore due to the heat/humidity and the fact that I would be by myself and didn't know where the 'no-go' areas were to avoid, so I spent quite a bit of time in my hotel room, unfortunately...this was pre-internet days as well. Some areas that I drove through to get to the base were just so run-down and poverty stricken; my hotel was right near the main beach, but you really couldn't enjoy it because of the heat/humidity and it was one trash bag away from being classified as a landfill.
There were some of the most beautiful women, however...
Panamá City has changed in the past 30 years... you'd be surprised how different PTY is from what it used to be back in 1995
@@brandonhill2383 Yeah, I'm sure it has changed some since ownership of the canal has been transferred and there's no US military base there, but it's still unbearably hot and humid, yes? People still party til the sun comes up, yes? There are still beautiful women there, yes? There's still poverty, yes?
The humidity in Panama City is unbearable.
Panama City seems great except for the intense humidity and heat. But if a person is from New Orleans or Miami maybe it's different. However, if it's a matter of refuge from rhe Woke sickness, evgn Panama would do. How can people live in Panama with that constant heat and humidity?
If they don't have to go outside between 10AM and 2PM, when the heat is unbearable, they don't. That's why you see some videos of Panama City where you don't see even one person on the street. At night it's a different story. They have adapted to the climate.
Interesting to know the differences. Would you consider leaving Manta Don?
Yes, at some point, I have to. This place isn't quite right for me.
PCY sounds pretty bad. Cost of living and weather both big negatives for me.
PTY 😉
Me toooo! Ecuador for me.
Hi, Don. I love your interviews, especially with Terri Carrol. I wanted to scout out Quito, Ecuador, and Boquette, Panama . I want to have further discussion with Terri. How to contact her?
You can reach Teri at: widowsmiteent@gmail.com.
@@DonShader thank you very much for asking Teri for permission for her email address.
I want to move there but I worry about the same thing happening like the 2004 earthquake in Indian Ocean.
English speaking church is awesome!
Don are you using the free version or paid version of ChatGPT?
I'm paying.
The audio is not good.
Terry, you're the second person to say that but I just re-watched the complete video again and din't see nor hear any problems. Are you watching this on a phone? Or a tablet?
WHATS GOING ON IN MANTA, EQUADOR?
Not much, just a bunch of Cartel gangsta action, people shooting each other, you know? Just another day in the hood. Other than the normal instability and lack of civility, it's awesome. Come on down.
@@DonShader 😅😆😁. My goal is Mexico.
Low audio, can't hear!!
Turn up your volume.
I just checked the video on my system and did not see nor hear a problem with audio.